Community, business, and personal growth strongly depend on the mastery of three activities: Continuous Improvement, Continuous Innovation, and Continuous Learning. Until now, many and diverse tools have been used for facilitating continuous improvement, innovation, and learning. This presentation introduces a single tool - the Universal Problem Solving (UPS) Canvas - for facilitating continuous improvement, innovation, and learning. The UPS Canvas is a project management dashboard that is based on the five topics of the universal problem solving cycle: Problem-Plan-Build-Measure-Learn. The UPS Canvas offers a common language and dashboard for managing projects especially in the areas of continuous improvement, innovation, and learning. Community problem solvers, inventors, innovators, and learners will find the UPS Canvas particularly useful especially in terms of facilitating communication and increasing the quality of outcomes as well as saving money, time, and other resources in projects.

1.
The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
A
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
Con>nuous
Improvement,
Innova>on,
and
Learning
In
Sierra
Leone,
Africa,
and
Beyond
Dr.
Rod
King

2. Especially
Since
the
1950s,
The
Wealth
of
Organiza>ons
-­‐
Businesses,
Non-­‐Profit
Organiza4ons,
Communi4es,
Regions,
Na4ons,
and
the
World
at
Large
-­‐
Has
Been
Radically
Improved
By
Using
and
Sharing
Explicit
Tools
for
Con>nuous
Improvement,
Innova>on,
and
Learning

3. THE
PROBLEM
Many
People
-­‐
In
Sierra
Leone,
Africa,
and
Beyond
-­‐
Lack
Project
Management
Tools
&
Skills
For
Con>nuous
Improvement,
Innova>on,
and
Learning

4. THE
SOLUTION
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning
Understand
and
Explicitly
Apply
The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Cycle
Through
Regular
Use
of
The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas

5. The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
Is
a
Project
Management
Dashboard
That
Accelerates
Con>nuous
Improvement,
Innova>on,
and
Learning

6. The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
Can
Also
Be
Seen
As
An
Interac>ve
Dashboard
for
One-­‐Page
Project
Management

7. A
Unique
Feature
of
The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
Is
That
Its
Modules
Inherently
Describe
The
Process
for
Con>nuous
Improvement,
Innova>on,
and
Learning

8. q Organize
and
manage
project
meeGngs
using
the
5
topics
or
modules
of
the
Universal
Problem
Solving
Cycle
(Canvas/Dashboard)
q SystemaGcally
obtain,
document,
and
share
feedback
from
team
members
as
well
as
other
stakeholders
throughout
the
lifecycle
of
a
project:
Increase
Project
Transparency,
Accountability,
and
Performance
q Share
knowledge
and
collaboraGvely
solve
problems
using
a
standard
one-­‐page
document:
Translate
any
problem-­‐solving
methodology
as
well
as
problem
and
solu4on
onto
a
one-­‐page
visual
worksheet
q Deeply
understand
and
learn
how
“tame”
and
“wicked”
problems
are
iteraGvely
solved
in
diverse
domains
especially
using
mulG-­‐
loop
learning
q Comprehensively
monitor
and
(24x7)
track
the
progress
of
a
project
throughout
its
lifecycle
q Measure
actual
performance
and
customer
experience
against
criteria
for
financial,
social,
and
environmental
success
10
TASKS
FOR
THE
UNIVERSAL
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(UPS)
CANVAS
Tasks
That
Project
Teams/Applicants
and
Mentors
Can
Facilitate
q Determine
and
assess
impacts
(value)
of
project
proposals
as
well
as
prototypes
and
full-­‐scale
versions
of
products,
services,
and
business
models
q Prepare
One-­‐Page
Project
Plan
(Proposal)
that
covers
the
5
modules
of
the
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
cycle:
Visually
Summarize,
Organize,
Manage,
and
Evaluate
Ideas
During
the
Lifecycle
of
a
Project
q Document/brainstorm
ideas
for
problems
(challenges)
and
soluGons
as
well
as
trade-­‐offs
in
the
creaGon
of
products,
services,
and/or
business
models
q Translate
vision
and
strategy
into
reality
10
TASKS
FOR
THE
UNIVERSAL
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(UPS)
CANVAS
Benefits:
Tasks
That
Project
Teams/Applicants
and
Mentors
Can
Facilitate
Using
the
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnhking@gmail.com
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing

9. u Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
is
a
visual
worksheet
that
uses
the
5
modules
(“Problem-­‐Plan-­‐Build-­‐Measure-­‐Learn”)
of
the
Universal
Problem
Solving
Cycle
to
rapidly,
systemaGcally,
and
iteraGvely
solve
problems
u Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
can
be
applied
to
projects
for
con>nuous
improvement
as
well
as
con>nuous
innova>on
of
products,
services,
and
business
models
u Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
offers
a
visual
framework
and
plaborm
that
seamlessly
integrate
the
body
of
knowledge
in
several
domains:
Total
Quality
Management,
(Lean
Startup)
Innova4on,
Problem
Solving,
Strategic
Planning,
and
Project
Management.
A
holisGc
body
of
knowledge
accelerates
conGnuous
improvement,
innovaGon,
and
validated
learning
in
projects
u Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
provides
a
common
language
and
visual
pla[orm
for
planning,
organizing,
evaluaGng,
and
managing
all
types
of
projects
u As
a
project
management
dashboard,
the
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
can
be
used
for
summarizing,
organizing,
managing,
and
evalua>ng
ideas
in
projects
BUT,
WHAT
REALLY
IS
A
UNIVERSAL
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(UPS)
CANVAS?

10. The
Topics
of
The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
Are
Based
on
The
5
Modules
of
The
Universal
Problem
Solving
Cycle

11. UNIVERSAL
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(UPS)
CYCLE
The
Five
Modules
of
the
Universal
Problem
Solving
Cycle
and
Canvas:
“Problem-­‐Plan-­‐Build-­‐Measure-­‐Learn”
2.
Plan
4.
Measure
5.
Learn
1.
Problem
3.
Build
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnking@sbcglobal.net
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Cycle

12. The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Cycle
Illustrates
the
Process
and
Cycle
of
“Survival
of
the
Ficest:”
The
Adap4ve
Mechanism
That
Organisms
and
Organiza4ons
Use
to
Survive
and
Grow

13. The
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Cycle
Is
Synonymous
With
The
Scien>fic
Experimenta>on
Cycle
(Where
the
Problem
Phase
is
Highlighted)
As
Well
As
The
Crea>ve
Problem
Solving
Cycle

14. If
We
Can
Hardly
Navigate
Vehicles
Without
Using
The
Vehicle’s
Dashboard,
Why
Do
We
Try
to
Navigate
Projects
Without
Using
A
Project
Management
Dashboard?

15. Every
Project
Needs
A
Project
Management
Dashboard.
Every
Project
Needs
A
Universal
Problem
Solving
Canvas.

16. UNIVERSAL
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(UPS)
CANVAS

17. (-­‐)
(+)
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnking@sbcglobal.net
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas:
Visual
Worksheet
for
HolisGc
Project
Management
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning

18. Alterna>ve
(Linear)
Formats
For
Presen>ng
The
Universal
Problem
Solving
Cycle

19. LINEAR
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(LPS)
CANVAS:
Horizontal
Format
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnhking@gmail.com
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
PROBLEM
SOLVING
MODULES
ITEM
5.
LEARN
4.
MEASURE
3.
BUILD
2.
PLAN
1.
PROBLEM
Value/Vision/
Outcomes
Impacts
(-­‐/+)
Prototype
SoluGon
TheoreGcal
SoluGon
Challenge/
Task

20. LINEAR
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(LPS)
CANVAS:
Project
Scorecard
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnhking@gmail.com
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
PROBLEM
SOLVING
MODULES
ITEM
5.
LEARN
4.
MEASURE
3.
BUILD
2.
PLAN
1.
PROBLEM
Value/Vision/
Outcomes
(……./10)
Impacts
(-­‐/+)
(……./10)
Prototype
SoluGon
(……./10)
TheoreGcal
SoluGon
(……./10)
Challenge
(……./10)
Project
Planning
(Prefeasibility:
Idea/Overview/
Applica4on/Hypo.)
Project
Planning
(Feasibility:
Pilot/
Prototype/Budget)
Project
Execu>on

21. LINEAR
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(LPS)
CANVAS:
VerGcal
or
TradiGonal
Outline
Format
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnhking@gmail.com
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
PROBLEM
SOLVING
MODULES
ITEM
(Project
Cycle
No.
…..)
1.
PROBLEM
Challenge/
Task
2.
PLAN
TheoreGcal
SoluGon
3.
BUILD
Prototype
SoluGon
4.
MEASURE
Impacts
(-­‐/+)
5.
LEARN
Value/Vision/
Outcomes

22. LINEAR
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(LPS)
CANVAS:
Project
Scorecard
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning
PROJECT
CYCLE
PROBLEM
SOLVING
MODULES
Project
Planning
(Prefeasibility:
Idea/Overview/
Applica4on/Hypotheses)
Project
Planning
(Feasibility:
Pilot/
Prototype/Budget)
Project
Execu>on
(Launch:
Scalable
Business
Model)
1.
PROBLEM
Challenge/
Task
(……./10)
2.
PLAN
TheoreGcal
SoluGon
(……./10)
3.
BUILD
Prototype
SoluGon
(……./10)
4.
MEASURE
Impacts
(-­‐/+)
(……./10)
5.
LEARN
Value/Vision/
Outcomes
(……./10)
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnhking@gmail.com
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing

23.
Example
1
Using
the
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
Summarize,
Evaluate,
and/or
Share
Team
Applica>on
for
“Local
FM
Radio
Sta>on”
Project
In
Innovate
Salone
Program

24.
LOCAL
FM
RADIO
STATION
(Civic
Media)
Albert
Academy
(Freetown)
TEAM
Kelvin
D.
(SS1)
–
Team
Leader
Ezekiel
N.
(SS1)
Abdulai
S.
(SS1)
MENTORS/SUPERVISORS
Abdulai
K.
(Chemistry
Teacher)
Francis
K.
Christopher
J.
“Students
from
Albert
Academy
have
found
a
soluGon
to
solve
this
problem.
They
want
to
use
cheap
scrap
metal
and
other
recycled
items
to
produce
local
radio
staGons,
to
address
the
community
needs.
Having
already
built
a
prototype,
the
team
is
hoping
to
teach
other
youth
to
make
their
own
radio
staGons
to
be
used
as
a
plaborm
for
civic
engagement.
The
team
wants
to
produce
these
staGons/transmiaers
locally
and
cheaply
and
make
this
knowledge
readily
available
to
everyone.”
“FM
radio
communicaGon
is
an
essenGal
part
of
daily
life
in
Sierra
Leone
and
everyone
relies
on
their
radios
for
news,
music,
gossip,
sports
etc.
Unfortunately,
due
to
the
high
iniGal
costs,
there
are
no
truly
local
radio
staGons
-­‐
made
to
serve
the
local
community,
with
local
news
or
informaGon.”
(-­‐)
(+)
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnking@sbcglobal.net
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas
for
“Local
FM
Radio
Sta>on”:
Project
Management
Dashboard
Source
of
informaGon:
hap://innovatesalone.org/

25. Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnhking@gmail.com
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
PROBLEM
SOLVING
MODULES
ITEM
5.
LEARN
4.
MEASURE
3.
BUILD
2.
PLAN
1.
PROBLEM
Value/Vision/
Outcomes
(……./10)
Impacts
(-­‐/+)
(……./10)
Prototype
SoluGon
(……./10)
TheoreGcal
SoluGon
(……./10)
Challenge
(……./10)
Project
Planning
(Prefeasibility:
Idea/Overview/
Applica4on/Hypo.)
CommunicaGon/
Local
Technology/
Recycling
Culture/
Talent
Explosion
Cost/
Benefit;
Model
q Financial
q Social
q Environmental
Local
FM
Radio
Sta>on:
Civic
Media
(AA,
Freetown)
Team
(3
No.)
Mentors
(3
No.)
Use
cheap
scrap
metal
and
other
recycled
items
to
build
local
radio
staGons
No
truly
local
radio
staGons
for
local
community
(youths/drop-­‐outs/
students)
Project
Planning
(Feasibility:
Pilot/
Prototype/Budget)
Project
Execu>on
LINEAR
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(LPS)
CANVAS
FOR
“LOCAL
FM
RADIO
STATION”:
Scorecard
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning

26. LINEAR
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(LPS)
CANVAS
FOR
“LOCAL
FM
RADIO
STATION”:
Outline
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnhking@gmail.com
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
PROBLEM
SOLVING
MODULES
ITEM
(Project
Cycle
No.
1
–
Proposal/ApplicaGon/
Hypotheses)
1.
PROBLEM
Challenge/
Task
No
truly
local
radio
staGons
for
local
community
(youths/drop-­‐outs/students)
2.
PLAN
TheoreGcal
SoluGon
Use
cheap
scrap
metal
and
other
recycled
items
to
build
local
radio
staGons
3.
BUILD
Prototype
SoluGon
Local
FM
Radio
Sta>on:
Civic
Media
(Albert
Academy,
Freetown)
Team
(3
No.)
Mentors
(3
No.)
4.
MEASURE
Impacts
(-­‐/+)
Cost/Benefit;
Model
q
Financial
q
Social
q
Environmental
5.
LEARN
Value/Vision/
Outcomes
CommunicaGon/Local
Technology/Recycling
Culture/
Talent
Explosion

27. LINEAR
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(LPS)
CANVAS
FOR
“LOCAL
FM
RADIO
STATION”:
Scorecard
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning
PROJECT
CYCLE
PROBLEM
SOLVING
MODULES
Project
Planning
(Prefeasibility:
Idea/Overview/
Applica4on/Hypotheses)
Project
Planning
(Feasibility:
Pilot/
Prototype/Budget)
Project
Execu>on
(Launch:
Scalable
Business
Model)
1.
PROBLEM
Challenge/
Task
(……./10)
No
truly
local
radio
staGons
for
local
community
(youths/drop-­‐outs/
students)
2.
PLAN
TheoreGcal
SoluGon
(……./10)
Use
cheap
scrap
metal
and
other
recycled
items
to
build
local
radio
staGons
3.
BUILD
Prototype
SoluGon
(……./10)
Local
FM
Radio
Sta>on:
Civic
Media
(AA,
Freetown)
Team
(3
No.)
Mentors
(3
No.)
4.
MEASURE
Impacts
(-­‐/+)
(……./10)
Cost/Benefit;
Model
q Financial
q Social
q Environmental
5.
LEARN
Value/Vision/
Outcomes
(……./10)
CommunicaGon/
Local
Technology/
Recycling
Culture/
Talent
Explosion

28. HOW
TO
COLLABORATIVELY
USE
THE
UNIVERSAL
PROBLEM
SOLVING
(UPS)
CANVAS
Project
Management
Dashboard
for
AcceleraGng
ConGnuous
Improvement,
InnovaGon,
and
Learning
1
• Draw
or
Print
out
a
large
template
of
the
Universal
Problem
Solving
(UPS)
Canvas,
e.g.,
on
A4
size
paper
or
a
size
of
24”x36”
2
• Put
the
UPS
Canvas
on
a
wall
or
large
table
3
• CollaboraGvely
and
sequenGally
populate
(using
Post-­‐its
or
notecards)
or
write
on
the
5
modules
of
the
UPS
Canvas:
First,
formulate
proposals
(hypotheses)
for
each
module
of
the
UPS
Canvas
in
the
sequence
of
“Problem-­‐Plan-­‐Build-­‐Measure-­‐Learn.”
Then,
go
out
in
the
field
and
itera4vely
validate
the
proposals
(hypotheses)
for
each
module
on
the
UPS
Canvas
(project/business
ecosystem
plan).
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnhking@gmail.com
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing

29. BUSINESS
ECOSYSTEM
(BE)
CANVAS

30. List
of
10
Topics
for
Documen>ng
Problems
and
Solu>ons
in
a
Business
Ecosystem
1. Suppliers/Inputs/Partners
2. Team
&
Resources
3. Process
4. Future
Solu>on
(Output:
Product/Service/Plan)
5. Retailers/Channels/Rela>onships
6. Customers/Consumers
7. Environment
(Global)
8. Pain
(Cost)
9. Delight
(Benefit;
DifferenGaGon;
Revenue)
10. Value
(Project
Outcomes;
(Financial/Social/
Environmental
Success)
Business
Ecosystem
(7
Topics/
Blocks)
Effects
or
Impacts
(3
Topics/
Blocks)

31. (-­‐)
(+)
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnking@sbcglobal.net
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
Process
Suppliers/Inputs/
Partners
Team
Resources
Future
Solu>on
(Output:
Product/Service)
Retailers/
Channels/
Rela>onships
Customers/
Consumers
Environment
(Global)
Pain
(Cost)
Delight
(Benefit;
Differen2a2on;
Revenue)
Business
Ecosystem
(BE)
Canvas:
10
Business
Ecosystem
Blocks
on
UPS
Canvas
(Unannotated)
Value
(Project
Outcomes;
Financial/Social/Environmental
Success)

32. (-­‐)
(+)
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnking@sbcglobal.net
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
Future
Solu>on
(Output:
Product/Service)
Value
ProposiGon
Product/Service
Top
3
Features
Retailers/
Channels/
Rela>onships
Customers/
Consumers
Top
3
Problems
Environment
(Global)
Industry
Pain
(Cost)
Delight
(Benefit;
Differen2a2on;
Revenue)
Business
Ecosystem
(BE)
Canvas:
10
Business
Ecosystem
Blocks
on
UPS
Canvas
(Annotated)
Process
Team
Resources
Suppliers/Inputs/
Partners
Value
(Project
Outcomes;
Financial/Social/Environmental
Success)

33.
Example
2
Using
the
Business
Ecosystem
(BE)
Canvas
Details
of
Team
ApplicaGon
and
Business
Model
for
“Local
FM
Radio
Sta>on”
Project
In
Innovate
Salone
Program

34. (-­‐)
(+)
Copyright
2013.
Dr.
Rod
King.
rodkuhnking@sbcglobal.net
&
hap://businessmodels.ning.com
&
hap://twiaer.com/RodKuhnKing
Process
(“Plan
of
AcGon”)
q Train
youths
to
build
and
operate
FM
radio
staGons
Suppliers/Inputs/
Partners
q Scrap/“Trash”
q Local
Materials
q Mixer
q Amplifier
q CD
Players:
2
No
q Wireless
Mic
q Speakers:
2
No.
q Antenna
q Radio
Dialing
Board
Partners
q MoGvator:
1
No.
q Mentors:
3
No.
Team
q Members:
3
No.
*
Kelvin
Doe
(Leader)
*
Ezekiel
Nagbe
*
Abdulai
Samura
Resources
Future
Solu>on
(Product/Service)
Value
ProposiGon
“Turn
trash
to
cash”
Product/Service
FM
Radio
StaGon
Top
3
Features
200m
Radius
FM
Radio
StaGon
q Locally
made
q Reliable
q Affordable
Channels/
Communica>on
q Radio
Customers/
Consumers
q Local
Community
q Youths
q Drop-­‐outs
q Students
Top
3
Problems
q Jobless
(~50%)
q Skill-­‐less
q Inadequate
CommunicaGon
(Dialog)
Environment
(Global)
Industry
q Civic
Media
[Telecommu-­‐
nicaGon/
Electronics]
Pain
(Cost)
q Le4,440,000
=
$1030
(approximately)
Delight
(Benefit;
Differen2a2on;
Revenue)
q Sale
of
radio
ads
q Talent
Explosion
q TransformaGve
Local
Technology
q Recycling
Culture
q Affordable
Inter-­‐Community
Radio
CommunicaGon
Source
of
informaGon:
hap://innovatesalone.org/
Business
Ecosystem
(BE)
Canvas
for
“FM
Radio
Sta>on”
Project
Plan
(Hypotheses)
in
Sierra
Leone
Value
(Project
Outcomes;
Financial/Social/Environmental
Success)